Polymeric foam-ferromagnet composites as smart lightweight materials

A new class of lightweight smart materials based on a polymeric matrix with embedded magnetic micro-particles was developed. The application of a magnetic field (MF) during the foaming of samples induced, along the MF lines, the alignment of magnetic particles dispersed in the polymer thus forming chain-like reinforcing structures. The aligned micro-particles induced an anisotropic mechanical behaviour, strongly improving the mechanical stiffness and strength along the MF direction compared to unfilled systems. Most notably, the chain-like structures imparted a magneto-sensitive behaviour to the lightweight materials. In fact, foams showed a direct relationship between the foams elastic response and the intensity as well as the shape of the time dependent MF applied during their magneto-elastic characterisation. This magneto-elastic behaviour has been obtained at low MF strength (below 200 kA m-1). © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd.